BOOK FIVE

original: "LIBER QVINTVS"

...[the crucible] is found, and placed into a generous fire, and so covered that the coals exceed the crucible itself by the height of three fingers. In this way, it will be liquefied and sufficiently cooked within the space of half an hour. Afterward, let it be taken out and poured out thinly into a brass basin and cooled. And you will have Glass of Antimony original: "vitrum Antimonii"; a transparent, amber-colored chemical compound used as a powerful medicinal base, which shines through like a hyacinth original: "hyacinthi"; referring to the reddish-orange zircon or jacinth gemstone.

Half of it is placed in a cucurbit a gourd-shaped glass vessel used in distillation, with seven vessels placed on top, and the whitest "flowers" original: "flores"; in alchemy, these are the fine powders or crystals that form through sublimation (vaporizing and re-solidifying) will be sublimated, which are then to be corrected to "correct" a substance means to temper its harshness or toxicity to make it safe for medicine. The other part is given in doses from 3 to 9 grains, with an equal measure of Gum Tragacanth a natural gum used as a binder and a sufficient quantity of sugar, in the form of either tablets, an electuary a medicinal paste or syrup, or a powder, etc. It is beneficial for those suffering from tertian fever a type of malaria where fever strikes every third day originating in the stomach, as well as for those suffering from colic.

Some extract the Glass of Antimony with vinegar, and in turn melt the dregs back into glass; and by repeating this rectification the process of purification through repeated distillation or melting several times, it finally becomes like the whitest crystal.

Note: The extraction of Glass of Antimony or its "flowers" made with corrosive Oil of Vitriol sulfuric acid works only through the bowels original: "per secessum"; i.e., as a laxative and not through the upper parts original: "per superiora"; i.e., as an emetic to induce vomiting.

Some take the Antimony prepared in the form of a hyacinth—that is, the glass—and pulverize it, and melt it again with an equal quantity of Borax into a greenish form. They then extract a Tincture with Alcohol of Wine original: "vini Alkole"; highly concentrated ethanol. They administer and recommend this extract most successfully; it only purges the bowels.

Glass of Antimony from the ore.

Glass of Antimony from the Ore: Take of Antimony ore and the purest Vitriol metal sulfates, of each: let them be very well powdered and mixed. Once mixed, fit a crucible properly to a "fire of circulation" a steady, surrounding heat until it glows white-hot. Once sufficiently heated, cast in one part of your mixture and let it crackle original: "decrepidato"; the sound minerals make when moisture escapes during heating, then cast in the other parts until you have put in the whole mineral. This crackling leaves behind a certain powder, from which you should make glass by the fire of fusion and the rules of the art, testing it with an iron rod and pouring it into a bronze basin (previously heated), as you know.

Extraction.

The extraction of this glass ought to be done with its own vinegar over six weeks. When this time has passed, the vinegar is drawn off again so that a powder remains. This is "essentialized" concentrated into an essence with spirit or Alcohol of Wine, and extracted anew.

The Antimonial Panacea.

Regarding the Panacea a "cure-all" medicine, some wish to proceed in this way with this Fifth Essence original: "Q Essentia"; the most purified and potent form of a substance. 4? of the extraction, two pounds; of the Salt of Antimony, four ounces. Circulate a process of continuous distillation and condensation in a closed loop for a month in a closed vessel until the salt is united with the essence, then from the dregs...

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